"You got reality in my fantasy!"

So here we are at Anime Expo's new venue, the Los Angeles Convention Center. When the move to the LACC was first announced, there was trepidation from certain quarters about the local neighborhood. In practice, the local area is largely devoid of life but otherwise quite tame, with several pricey buildings either leasing units or under construction. And here's a hint: if there's a California Pizza Kitchen around? You're not exactly in peril.

Sure, there are a few homeless people in the area, as generally happens in, oh, what d'you call those places again... cities. In fact, one recurring homeless fellow was quite happily licking the underthighs of his jeans clean in the middle of the plaza outside West Hall, surrounded by tons of cosplayers and looking fairly pleased to have the company. It was almost touching, in its way, and he would've fit right in except that the convention-goers were less likely to have a change cup. Don't believe me? Then let's play:

HOMELESS OR ATTENDEE?

Homeless: spends a lot of time sleeping on the street or sitting against a wall
Attendee: spends a lot of time sleeping on any available carpeted floor or sitting against a wall... or in front of an elevator... or in front of doorways... or, as witnessed earlier today, lying head-down and on their side in the middle of a flight of concrete stairs, playing with toys

Homeless: sometimes shouts at people on the street; occasionally provoked into committing acts of battery
Attendee: sometimes stands in hallways, stairways, elevators, etc. and shouts for everyone to raise their hands if they want to be touched in special ways; often, upon seeing a/other cosplayer(s), rushes to commit an act of battery

Homeless: has a sign saying "HOMELESS, PLEASE HELP"
Attendee: has a sign saying "WILL YURI FOR POCKY/HUGS/MONEY"

Homeless: relies on donations for income
Attendee: relies on parental donations for income

Homeless: sometimes trailed by an unpleasant odor
Attendee: sometimes trailed by an unpleasant odor